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I don't know but I will find out. I'm going to start asking for a small amount of whatever new pill I need to take since I have a lot of issues with meds.
Just remember YOU created the waste by getting more medication than you needed.
Thanks, that was very helpful. I didn't expect something for an stomach ulcer to cause me an issue. I assumed it would be similar to other stomach meds I have taken in the past. I was surprised when I picked it up to find they had given me a three month supply.
Really don't know why some people bother to respond if all they can muster up is a snarky remark.
I don't know but I will find out. I'm going to start asking for a small amount of whatever new pill I need to take since I have a lot of issues with meds.
When people die that had cancer or asthma or both; many of the medications left behind are worth hundreds of dollars each. In the case of asthma medication; who would use an inhaler that was used by somebody that died? That is also true of the other pills and medications; regardless of the cost. They did not save the patient, so in good conscious, could you give them to somebody else? One of the last things a hospice nurse does, after they pronounce the patient dead, is to physically dispose of the left over medication down the toilet. Technically it would be illegal to keep any medication that was not prescribed for you. By giving it to a 'friend' you could technically go to jail and your friend would be in trouble for using the medication.
Dunno if OP realizes it is against the law to give someone prescribed medication meant for the one named on the label. Donating it to anyone other than prescribed for would be illegal as well.
Here in my county they offer a free disposal of any expired, unwanted prescription drugs twice a year. And they'll accept them and dispose of them safely.
Just wanted to chime in to say double check the vet pricing jencam mentions. I had he opposite experience with medication my dog is on and you can get both filled at a regular pharmacy at least here. I’ve picked up steroids for my dog at Walgreens in the past. But her bet gets them cheaper than the pharmacy now so we use them.
It's a great idea but guidelines are very strict regarding opened medications. It feels unfortunate to waste them but consider they might be out of date and therefore not effective, they could have been tampered with even though they might look fine, they could have been exposed to very high or very low temps that might make them ineffective or even change the medication.
Only once in many years do I remember that a Hospice agency would take pain relievers from a dead patient's stash, as there WERE days back then when MDs feared retribution regarding high doses of Morphine etc. and patients seemed to be only partially relieved of cancer pain.
That would not happen today. MDs plan well for the pain relief of Hospice patients....after all, it doesn't matter how much it takes as long as they are comfortable.
When my brother passed away, he had all kinds of meds left over. If they were pain pills, I would have maybe given them away, but they weren't. I took them into the pharmacy hoping they could be used by someone else.
The pharmacist brought me over special zip-lock bags and I had to empty every container into them for disposal.
Just remember YOU created the waste by getting more medication than you needed.
It would be good if this were always true. Then we could be more responsible but there are a number of situations where it seems difficult to prevent. The death of a patient has been mentioned.
Another is when the insurance company pays for three months worth at a time and the medication is discovered to be problematic.
A third I can think of is when the medication is discontinued, the patient has automatic refill with the pharmacy and the doctor's office forgets to notify the pharmacy the medication is discontinued. This happens more frequently than should be acceptable.
Our police department takes unused medication and disposes of it. Where? Into our water system? Into the air? I don't know.
I think it's a pity it can't be used for someone who needs it but I understand the problems with that.
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I didn't expect something for an stomach ulcer to cause me an issue. I assumed it would be similar to other stomach meds I have taken in the past. I was surprised when I picked it up to find they had given me a three month supply. 
